Flashlight construction



Juiy 23, 1946. J. 2. LBPPENQCDTT FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 15,1944 IN V EN TOR.

/ JOSHUA GORDON uppmcon 11d Gav W it 1 ATTOPNEY Patented July 23, 1946FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Joshua Gordon Lippincott, Scarsdale, N. Y.,assignor to Guth, Stern & 00., Inc., a corporation of New YorkApplication June 15, 1944, Serial No. 540,418

7 7'Claims. 1

This invention relates to portabl flashlights and more particularly tohand or pocket flashlights of improved construction.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve flashlightsof the character. described which shall comprise few and simple partsthat. arev readily assembled to form a rugged, compact yet neat andattractive appearing article, which assembly shall have the partsconveniently proportioned for use, which shall be inexpensivetomanufacture, and which shall be practical. and eflicient to a highdegree in use..

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out. The invention accordingly consistsof featuresof construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of partswhich will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown an illustrative embodimentof this invention:

Fig. 1 is a sectionalized view taken longitudinally through a handflashlight constructed with a toggle-like switch and tulip headembodying the invention.

'FigS. 2 and 3 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken throughfragmentary portions of the improved flashlight construction at lines 22and 3-3, respectively, in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 4-4-in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the improved flashlight showingthe exterior construction.

Referring in detail to the drawing I0 denotes an improved toggle-likeswitch, tulip head, hand flashlight construction embodying theinvention. As seen from Figs. 1 and 5, the flashlight construction It]includes a tubular casing portion I I formed with an integral closedbottom Ho and an enlarged bulbous hemispherical open end IIb, Saidcasing portion II preferably is made of sufficient length to house oneor more electric dry cells I2 of conventional construction inwardly ofsaid enlarged open end IIb as shown in Fig. I. Said flashlightconstruction H3 also includes a bezel cap portion I3 secured t said openend I Ib by suitable means, such as screw joint I I. The screw joint I4may be formed with an interior thread I Ic on the inner surface of thecasing open end IIb engaging exterior threads I-3a provided on the bezelcap portion I3. The exterior surface I3b of said cap portion [3preferably; is arcuate shaped forming a curved spherical outer surfaceportion aligning with the exterior surface of the hemispherical open endI lb giving a tulip shape appearance to the flashlight head.

The exterior surface of the casing portionll below the enlarged open endIIb which houses the dry cells I2 may be formed with the spaced flutes IId raised to extend longitudinally thereon and shown in Fig. 5 toprovide efficient hand gripping means, the end of said casing portionII: adjacent the closed bottom Ila being tapered as at Hz to not onlyimprove the casing portion. II structurally but also with. the flutes Hito give the flashlight; I0 a neat and. attractive appearance. a

The entire casing portion I l and bezel caprportion I3 above described.are each preferably molded of suitable plastic material. of any wellknown composition that can be colored as desired and finished withoutmachining to exact size and shape required. It has been found that bymaking the body portion II and bezel cap portion I3 in a contrastingcolor combination, as for example, said body portion I I in a high keyshade, namel ivory, and the bezel cap portion I3 and a lever handle I50.of a toggle-like switch I5, hereinafter more fully described, in a lowkey shade, namely, bright red or some other contrasting color, a uniquetrimming is provided which lends itself to universal artistic appeal.

The bezel cap portion I3 has an inwardly extending flange I30 on theinterior rim of. which may be seated a lens closure disc I6 as shown. inFig. 1. Abutting the peripheral portion of. said disc I6, an outturnedflange I'Ia of a metallic re:- flector I1 is positioned. The reflectorII extends intothe enlarged open end i ll) of the casing portion I I andcarries a centrallized screw shell portion I'Ib into which projects a.base I8a of an incandescent lamp I8- The lamp base I801. has a centralterminal contact I8b located to continuously press against a top'centerterminal I2'a of dry cell battery I2.

The bezel cap portion I3 preferably may be made of a thicker stock thanthe body portion I I to withstand rough handling and usage and the rimof the flange I30 provides a sturdy supporting ledge for the reflectorflange I'Ia as seen from Fig. 1.

Th toggle-like switch I5 may comprise the lever handle I5a which ismounted to extend through an opening II 1 provided in the. casingportion I I at the junction of the battery compartment thereof and thestructural portion of the enlarged bulbous open end III). The inner endI5b of said handle I5a i trunnioned by meansof integrally formedoppositely extending. stubshafts I50 which extend down into open endedslots I I h of a boss II 9 molded to extend from the interior side ofthe casing portion II along the rim of the opening I I f. Said boss I I9with said slotted construction provides bearings in which said stubshafts I 50 are journalled.

The inner end I51) of lever handle I5a has a flattened surface I5d whichis adapted to permit a tongu [9a terminating a connection stripor leadjumper I9 to be in an unfiexed position when the circuit from the drycell battery I2 is open or in "olf position, as shown in full lines inFig. 1 and in Fig. 2. Th handle portion I5a will then be swung in adirection extending away from the opening II Said inner end of leverhandle IEa also may be provided with a projection I5e which is locatedjust beyond, that is, outside an axis of the lever handle [5a throughthe pivotting point thereof when in oil or open switch position. Spacedfrom said projection I5e on the inner end of lever handle I5a oppositeflattened surface I5d is a stop portion I51 which with said projectionI5e retains the lever handle in closed circuit or on position with thetongue. I9a flexed to electrically contact the reflector I I as shown inFig. l in dotted lines.

As seen from Fig. 1, when the lever handle I5a of toggle-like switch I5is swung in between the off and on position the circuit will be closedbut when said handle I 5a is released it will return either to offposition or swing to on position depending on whether the projection I5eis on one or the other side of the off position of the axis (dead line)of the lever handle I5a.

From the above described parts and assembly it is seen that theflashlight circuit passes from the'center terminal I211 of the dry cellbattery I2 to the center contact I312 of the lamp base I 8a. Theremaining portion of said circuit may include a metallic helical coilspring 23 seated within the closed casing bottom I Ia having an end 23acontacting with container terminal I2b of the dry cell battery I2, anend I 9b of the strip I9 opposite tongue I9a being interposed betweensaid bottom I la and spring end 23b to electrically contact the stripend I919. The strip I9 thus electrically connecting with the batterycontainer terminal I2b may be secured to the casing by suitable meanssuch as rivet 22 for extending said strip I9 along the interior of thecasing body I I with said tongue |9a terminating above boss Hg. Thetongue 19a on being flexed by the swinging of the handle I5a from anormal off position contacts the reflector I! for completing the circuitthrough the screw base I8a of the lamp I8 in the well understood manner.If desired helical spring 23 may be integrally formed to terminate stripend I91) instead of being made as a separate element.

In order to anchor the strip I9 more firmly t the body II, the tongueIfia is made by slitting the strip I9 on opposite sides of the tongue asat I90 and forming spaced attachment means with reversed bent spring endISd. The latter not only can be sprung into position for firmly grippingover the lip rims of slots I Ih but also extend into said slots IIh tobear against stub shafts I50 of the lever handles Ifia as seen in Fig.4.

-With the parts made and assembled as described above and shown in thedrawing, the

practical utility of the invention becomes at once apparent. Theflashlight II can be conveniently 'carried in the hand and th togglswitch I readily actuated by the thumb for either flashing the light by.swinging the lever handl .I5a

partially up from the position shown in Fig. 1,

that is, so that the spring tongue I9a is either held deflected inclosed circuit contact with the reflector IT, or swing by the leverhandle fully to a self retain position with said tongue I 9a in suchcircuit contact position as shown in Fig. 1, in dotted line position. Toopen the circuit the lever handle I5a is swung down permitting thetongue I9a to return back to the unfiexed position shown in Fig. 1, fullline position.

It is thus therefore seen that there is provided an improved flashlightin which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are welladapted to meet all conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the invention for use fordifferent purposes and as various changes might be made in theembodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all the abovematters here set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing, are to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plasticbattery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantialuniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and abulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, ametallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side ofsaid body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connectingwith an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, theend of said jumper at said open end top terminating in a toggle switchconnecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted toconnect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidlysecuring said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body,gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoiningthe blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, ananchorage boss molded On an interior wall of the bulbous open end topfor engaging with said gripper attachment means, and a toggle-likeswitch lever extending through the casing trunnioned on said boss foractuating said blade spring contact to deflect the latter in making andbreaking a circuit connection. 7

2. In a flashlight of the character described, a construction as definedin claim 1 in which said anchorage boss has open ended slots to serve asbearings for trunnioning said lever therein, said gripper attachmentmeans being constructed and arranged as a spring mounting integrallyformed with said jumper portion projecting into said slot bearings toconfine said trunnioned portions of said switch lever therein.

3. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plasticbattery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantialuniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and abulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a bossmolded on an interior wall of the bulbous open end top having open-endedslot bearings, a toggle-like switch-lever extending through the casinghaving stub shafts journalled in said bearings to trunnion said lever onthe boss, and an elongated metallic strip jumper havinga battery contactat one end secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said bodywith said battery contact at the bottom, the other end of said jumperbeing slitted to terminate in an integrally formed spring switch bladecontact with adjoining gripper attachment means, and fastening meanssecured inwardly of said blade contact for rigidly attaching said jumperto the body, an inner end of said lever being positioned to defiect theblade contact in making a circuit connection.

4. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plasticbattery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantialuniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and abulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, ametallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side ofsaid body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connectingwith an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, theend of said jumper at said open end terminating in a toggle-like switchconnecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted toconnect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidlysecuring said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body,gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoiningthe blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, ananchorage boss molded on an interior wall of bulbous open end top forengaging with said gripper attachment means, and a toggle-likeswitch-lever extending through the casing having stub shafts trunnionedon said boss for actuating said blade spring contact in making andbreaking a circuit connection, said anchorage boss having an open-endedslot to serve as bearings for trunnioning said stub shafts therein, saidgripper attachment means being formed by slitting and bending the end ofsaid jumper to provide an integral spring mounting projecting into saidslot for confining the stub shafts therein.

5. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plasticbattery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantialuniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and abulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, ametallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side ofsaid body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connectingwith an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, theend of said jumper at said open top terminating in a toggle-like switchconnecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted toconnect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidlysecuring said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body,gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoiningthe blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, ananchorage boss molded on an interior wall of bulbous open top forengaging with said gripper attachment means, a toggle-like switch-leverextending through the casing trunnioned on said boss for actuating saidblade spring contact to deflect the latter in making and breaking acircuit connection, a single molded lens cap removably mounted on saidopen end top, the sectional thickness of said cap being constructed andarranged to exceed the thickness of the portion of said body attachedthereto and to conform the exterior side of the bulbous open end withthat of said cap for providing a tulip shape head for the flashlight,

6. In a flashlight of the character described, having a single moldedplastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body ofsubstantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed endbottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite saidbottom, a metallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise theinterior side of said body and bottom to provide an electrical conductorfor connecting with an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed inthe casing, the end of said jumper at said open end top terminating in atoggle switch connecting part formed with an integral spring bladecontact adapted to connect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fasteningmeans for rigidly securing said jumper at an inner part of the bladecontact to said body, gripper attachment means provided on portion ofthe jumper end adjoining the blade contact at a spaced distance fromsaid fastening means, an anchorage boss molded on an interior wall ofbulbous open end top for engaging with said gripper attachment means, atoggle-like switch-lever extending through the casing having stub shaftstrunnioned on said boss for actuating said blade spring contact inmaking and breaking a circuit connection, said anchorage boss havingopen ended slots to serve as bearings for trunnioning said stub shaftstherein, said gripper attachment means being formed by slitting andbending the end of said jumper to provide an integral spring mountingprojecting into said slot for confining the stub shafts therein, and asingle molded lens cap removably mounted on the open end top of greatersectional thickness than that of the adjoining casing, the exterior ofsaid cap forming a continuous surface with that of said open end toprovide a tulip shape head for the flashlight.

'7. A flashlight of the character described, as defined in claim 6, inwhich a metallic reflector fitted with a lamp is positioned in thebulbous open and top of said body with the open end of the reflectorretained by the lens cap and a contact of said lamp connecting with anupper terminal of said battery, said blade contact being constructed andarranged to make and break said circuit connections with the exterior ofsaid reflector on being flexed and unflexed, respectively, by saidswitch from a normal 0 circuit position.

JOSHUA GORDON LIPPINCO'IT.

